Assessment of the spectrum and frequency of chromosomal aberrations in blood lymphocytes of employees of an atomic energy facility during 15 years of work

   Introduction: One of the most sensitive methods widely used to assess genotoxic effects on the human body in the early and long-term periods is the assessment of chromosomal aberrations. The study was focused on comparative analysis of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the blood lymphocytes of personnel (n = 20) of an atomic energy facility with a 15-year retrospective study.

   The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the lymphocytes of the blood of atomic energy facility workers for 15 years.

   Materials and Methods: The assessment of the effects of ionizing radiation on the human body was performed by cytogenetic examination of the employees of the atomic energy facility (n = 20) exposed to ionizing radiation during their professional activities. The control group was composed of employees of the atomic energy facility, who underwent cytogenetic analysis in 2003. The study group was made up of the same employees of the atomic energy facility, who had been underwent a second cytogenetic study in 2018.

   Results and Discussion: A comparative analysis of the frequency of cytogenetic disorders in the blood lymphocytes of the atomic energy facility workers revealed differences between the studied groups in the frequency of dicentric chromosomes (p < 0.05). In the study group, compared with the control group, an increase in the frequency of dicentric chromosomes was revealed (p = 0.0017). The frequencies of the other chromosomal aberrations types studied (chromosomal fragments, chromatid fragments, and ring chromosomes) did not differ between the groups compared.

   Conclusion: The results of this work make it possible to supplement and trace the understanding of the mutation process in the somatic cells of individuals who are exposed to ionizing radiation during their professional activities. The revealed statistical differences in the frequency of dicentric chromosomes deserve special attention, since the presence of this type of chromosomal aberrations is a marker of radiation exposure and allows us to verify the fact of exposure.

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